(Download) Special Material For Punjab PSC Pre Exam, 2012 [Folk Music of Punjab]

Topic : Folk Music of Punjab

So far as the question of folk Music of Punjab is concerned the geographical situation of Punjab is such that it has always remained a battle  eld. Whosoever attacked India, always came through Punjab. In this way, all the invaders that came here left some impact of their music on the people of Punjab. Before discussing the music of Punjab, it is necessary to know about the meaning of folk Music and what is the importance of Tunes, speech sounds and Melodies in it. Here we are giving some thought about it. What is folk Music ? When de ning Music and Folk Music, Dr. Vanjara Bedi has written, "Music is that speech sound which unites the soul with the universe. From the sound strikes, when any race begins to recognise the sound of his soul and form, those very speech sounds are folk music for him. _Folk music is identi ed with race and character." According to Dr. Gurnam Singh," By folk music is meant the music of a common or a layman which expresses the community feelings of a limited race."

Dr. Jit Singh Joshi is of the Opinion, "The music of folk songs are the waves of the minds of the people-simple, easier and natural. These music sounds are received by the people from their heritage. There is no need of any  regular training from any teacher. The Importance of Tune, Sound and Melody: There has been a lot of importance of Tune, sound and melody in music. There is also importance of steps in it. In the intonation of tune, the time taken is given the names of steps. Shri Uma Shanker Bahadur has said about classical music, "In this way, there are two systems of classical music which are prevalent. One is known by the name of Dhrupad and the second one is called 'KhyaF. The technique of Dhrupad is considered to be the most ancient. In Dhrupad full attention is paid to the each tune. The singer has not the facility that he might wave his tune. He can hot even take the liberty of lilting. In music lilting is called that group of tunes, which a singer uses frequently during the music. The beginning of 'Khval' is considered to be at the time of Tansen. Otherwise folk music is a simple music. The singers of these songs do not take the guidance of any teacher. They listen to this music through their ears and retain them in their mind. From the view point of Dr. Dharmveer Singh Nagra: Dr. Dharam Veer Singh Nagra has done a very signi cant and great job in writing a book on Folk Music. There is not much literature available in this subject in the folk literature. He has himself written in the introduction of this book. "Punjabi folk music is such an area of study, which has not been able to interest many scholars. Perhaps it is due to the lack or absence of resources. No doubt many scholars have  made the literary importance and the functional role of folk songs in the social cultural context as a subject of their studies. But all these studies remain incomplete and lame so long as these folk songs are not studied along with the music devices. Some scholars, now, have became active in this eld to take control aver those tunes which are linked with the soil and heritage of Punjabis. By taking a close look at the index of this book, it comes to be known that the. folk literature is found in many forms and also the reference of folk music is also made. First of all, light is thrown on the birth and development of folk music. Other headings are 'Flaria', 'Lori' 'Kikli', 'Boalis', 'Suhag, Ghori', 'Sithnian', Chhand', 'Lohri', 'Trinjan', "I'appa' and 'Mahiya' etc. Some details about all of them have been given. Along with it are given lilts and tunes as well. This effort in itself is a great achievement.

It is the conception of Dr. Vanjara Bedi that conceptions and tunes in which the folk songs are sung, are in pure forms of the folk style. The heartthrobs of simple rural Punjabis are heard in it. They are in unison with the life of the people because of emerging from the inner emotions of the Punjabis as far as their melody of life is concerned and arc immersed in their  esh and blood. It is a sort of stamp of Punjabi character on these conceptions and they are unique from the melodies sung in other areas.

Folk Music in the beginning: In the beginning those folk songs arc found which have their own unique music. These folk songs became popular only on account of their inner music. Besides, there was a unique music in the songs sung at different occasions.

Thumri: Thumri is a part of folk music. About the origin of Thumri, the author made the observation, "There is only one idea which dominates in the folk music and also one melody. But in the actual life of the people when one idea predominates, some other ideas also come to him in order to express these ideas, some people adopted the system  of Thumri during the times of Mughuls. 'Tapas' and 'Ghazafs' also become prevalent from the very time of the origin of Thumri. Gujri as the folk music: Gujri is also a folk music, which is sung by the people  of Gujjar caste. 'Chaita' comes in the folkmusic of Bihar. In such a type of music, a woman suffering from separation expresses her emotions of mind.

The Music style of Punjabi 'Kissas': 'Kissa kav' is a popular poetical form in Punjab. There is a unique music style of every 'Kissa'. The 'Kissa' of Mirza-Sahiban is mainly sung in 'Sarang' metre and in 'Kehrawa' beat. But some people sing it in Tilang metre and in Aad-chautal' beat. The Kissa of Heer-Ranjha is mainly sung in Bhairvi, Sohni-Mahiwal in Pahari and that  of 'yossouf-Julekhan' in Bhairvi metre and in the Keharwa lilt. The Kissa of Puran Bhagat is generally sung in Aasawari and Mand Meters judiciously inter mixed.

Musical Style of Folk Songs: The folk songs of Punjab have their oun musical styles. For example, 'Mahiya', is mainly sung in indigenous and local 'Raginis'-e.g. Pahari, Sindhi, Bhairvi and sindhra etc. A very popular melody of Mahiya is sung in 'Mand'. There is no pre-detcrmined form of prevalent folk poetic form 'Dhola' in 'Sandal Bar' and its  melody s different from 'Pothohari Dholean'. 'Bolis'- have their own unique form, tt is the
smallest poetical form of Punjabi. It is mainly used is 'Giddha' ind 'Bhangra' folk dances. The 'Bolian' of Giddha are sung in the 'Tilang' nets For 'Loris', the tilang and bhairvi meters are used. In this way, different tunes are
used for different types of folk songs.

Characteristics of folk Music of Punjab: There is a spontaneous »rowth of folk music in Punjab. They are not dependent on any rules. They grow in a way as wild plants grow in the forests without being giving my water, without the look after of a gardner. The Punjabis are fond of iinging and dancing from the very beginning. Therefore, the folk music of Punjab is as old as the public life of Punjabi people. Punjabis have been always fond of music, it does not matter if this music is of an ilementary type. It is a special characteristic of Punjabi life to hang a jell round the neck of. a cattle. It shows the love for music among the 3unjabis. The labourers while carrying weight produce a sound, which has ome rhythm and music in it. There was such a music in the folk songs of Punjab, on account of which they are popular even today inspite of he fact that no body knows the names of their composers. Even folk lances are full of music. Small tinkling bells (Ghungroos) are tied on the feet, which produce a sort of music. Now even the Punjabi women have tarted to wear a sort of ornament, which produces music.

The Qawals (singers) of Punjab: Singers, Raagis and player of labab (Musical instrument) are always to be seen on the land of Punjab, fhe groups of Raas-Leela go on wandering from city to city and village o village and relate the fables of Pooran Bhagat and Prahlad Bhagat through songs sung with the help of musical instruments. These group night relate the story of a hero or related to some spiritual aspect through, ongs with music. These people generally live in rural areas. The tradition if Ram Leela is very ancient. When Ram Leelas are performed at different Dices, the help taken of music is to be seen there. Even in the Nautankies jf the ancient times while staging a drama, the help of music is always aken. Music in the Fairs: Many fairs are held in Punjab. Some folk musicians can be seen in these fairs showing their feats. Even professional ady dancers used to dance in
the fairs before the partition of the country and this dance was always performed with the help of some musical instruments. Folk Music: A part of Punjabi Life: Folk music has remained a part of life of the people of Punjab. Whenever a Punjabi woman chums the nilk, she ties tinkling bells on the chumming stick. It shows her interest n the music. Music is used both at the time of gaiety and sorrow. The Songs at the marriages are the symbol of it. The importance of music can be gauged from the fact that whenever there is a death in family, the mourning cries too have some music in it.

The Different Instruments Available: Different types of musical instruments have been used from the beginning. Following are some of the main instruments. Dholki (Mini Drum): Dholki is generally found in most of the households. The girls start playing it on the occasions of marriage  or on some other happy occasions. According to Prof Nagar, 'Tappa' is that folk song with a single rhyme, which is sung in a Giddha or dance. There can be given one example of 'Tappa' - Maujan Pia Jug Mane Asien Tere Naukar Haan Tere Dil Dian Rabb Jane. Drum (Dhol): Drums are generally used in the Bhangra dance. According to Prof. Dharam Veer Singh Nagar, 'Jhumar' is a male dance of the people living in the jungles of Sandalbar, which is performed in the month of 'Saun' on the occasion of fairs. It is danced on the lilt of drum. The sound of drum can be heard miles away in the kikali dance. Th dancers of 'Jhumr' dance around the drum. Pitcher : A pitcher is not a musical instrument. Iris an equipment of daily use. But it is also used in the form of music. Pitcher is found ir, every household.

Musical Instruments with Strings: Among such instruments arc 'Do-Tara', 'Benjo', 'Sarangi' and 'Rabab' etc. These are used by ordinary artistes and give a good time to the people by building up an atomsphert of gaiety. Sarangi is also used during singing religious poems. Harmonium: Harmonium is commonly used as a music instrument it is being used since a very long time. Now harmoniums an also available in rural areas as well. The help of harmonium is taken whil singing. Tabor (Damroo): A tabor generally can be seen in the hands o 'Madaris' (street players). They take the help of this instrument whili performing a street show to produce music.

Gong and Cench-Shell (Sankh): These are also a sort of foil musical instruments. They are mainly used in the religious places. Becaus every body can play these instruments without any training, therefore these occupy
the position of folk musical instruments. Flute: Flute is such a folk music instrument, which inthralls eac and every body. Some young men go out in the moonlit night and ph on  ute, so that they may enjoy the unison of moon lit night and the sound of  ute. Been: Been is generally found with snake charmers. They make the snakes to dance and sway their head with the help of this musical instrument. Nagara (Large Kettle Drum): Nagaras
are used at religious places to produce loud musical sounds. Pipe (Algoza): Many types of folk music are produced with the help of this musical instrument. In this way, it can be said that many types of musical instruments are found in Punjab. Folk Music has always made the land of these  ve rivers romantic. Folk Singers of Punjab: The prominent folk singers of Punjab are: Asa Singh Mastana, Jagat Singh Jagga, Surinder Kaur, Narinder Biba,. Harcharan Grewal, Swaran Lata, Chandi Ram, Yamla Jat, Shanti, Didar Sandhu, Mohammed Sadique, Ranjit Kaur, Sudesh Kapoor, Gurdas vlann. Priti Bala, Kuldip Manak and Dr. Harphool etc.

Conclusion: Folk instruments and folk music are also linked to cultural and historical aspects of the society. Prof. Nagra has expressed he importance of folk songs in the following words "This aged back folk songs have conserved the history of centuries. The ups and downs that Punjab has been witnessing from the last many centuries and the calamities that has befallen on Punjab, have been faithfully elucidated by our folk songs

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